Deebo Samuel, a wide receiver for the San Francisco 49ers, suffered a calf strain during the team’s Week 2 loss to the Minnesota Vikings.
Samuel was visibly hurt and grimacing near the end of the game, but he returned to play the final offensive snap. That final play offered 49ers fans and fantasy owners optimism that Samuel would be able to return next week.
San Francisco 49ers WR Deebo Samuel’s performance at the end of the 49ers’ week-two loss led some supporters to believe his injury was not significant enough to keep him out for longer than a week.
Another factor contributing to the perceived lack of seriousness in Samuel’s injury was head coach Kyle Shanahan’s post-game comments, or lack thereof. Shanahan told the media that there were no injuries, leading some supporters to believe Samuel was in better form than he is.
Shanahan may have been uninformed of the injury because it occurred so late in the game. Shanahan’s press conference may have occurred when the 49ers or Samuel were still determining the severity.
In a subsequent press conference, Shanahan outlined how and when Samuel believes the injury occurred. According to a 49ers website story, Shanahan stated that Samuel injured his calf near the end of the game.
“He (Samuel Sr.) told me he thinks he did it when he caught the third-to-last play,” Mr. Shanahan said. “They (the Vikings defence) ran a blitz down in the red zone. He took the hot path while breaking in. He believes he did it during that play. I believe there were just two or three plays after that, though.”
San Francisco 49ers receiver Deebo Samuel gave details regarding his rehabilitation journey.
On a podcast, Samuel stated, in line with reports from across the league, that he will be in rehab for the next two weeks.
The thought that Samuel would return around week five is consistent with reports from throughout the league. This means San Francisco will be missing both top running back Christian McCaffrey and Samuel.
49ers quarterback Brock Purdy will need to get the most out of his other star wide receiver, Brandon Aiyuk, while also utilizing role players who are rarely given opportunities in such a star-studded offence. If Purdy can succeed without Samuel and McCaffrey, it may change the perception in the league that he is carried by his weapons.
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